O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL)

O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL) is a hymn tune in 9.8.9.8.8.8, composed by Kornelius Heinrich Dretzel (1697–1775). In a hymnal the tune has a name of its own, printed in capitals, because the same music carries many texts: any hymn written in its meter can be sung to it.

The four-part harmony played here comes from the Open Hymnal Project's public-domain edition (copied from "Mehrstimmiges ChoralBuch", 1906, Hymn 142. Translation composite from "Chorale Book for England", 1863 and "Hymn book for the use of Evangelical Lutheran schools and congregations", 1884 Hymn 59 by August Crull.). Choose any text below and press play to hear the words sung to O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL), with the lines highlighted as they come — on organ, piano or guitar, in any key.

More by Kornelius Heinrich Dretzel · All 9.8.9.8.8.8 hymns and tunes